JP6029030B2 - Apparatus and method for introducing an object into a smoking article - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for introducing an object into a continuous material flow. For example, the object can be a bead or capsule that will be introduced into the continuous stream of filter media during the manufacture of the filter component of the smoking article.

  For example, a smoking article such as a cigarette is generally a rod-type structure and includes a smokable material such as a chargeable, roll-type, or column-type cut tobacco. In general, cut tobacco is surrounded by wrapping paper to form a so-called “tobacco rod”. In a cigarette with a filter, the cylindrical filter element is aligned end to end with the tobacco rod. Illustratively, the filter element may comprise a cellulose acetate tow filter material. The filter material can be surrounded by a paper material known as “plug wrap”. In general, the filter element is attached to one end of a tobacco rod using a circumscribed packaging material known as “chip paper”.

  Various proposed methods for altering the sensory characteristics of smoking include using a filter element as a medium for adding additional flavor to the mainstream smoke of a smoking article. For example, it has been proposed to introduce an object such as a capsule into the filter material when manufacturing the filter element.

  Various methods and devices have been proposed for introducing such objects into filter media during the manufacture of filter elements for smoking articles. One such device is disclosed, for example, in WO2010 / 0555120. The device disclosed herein comprises a reservoir for containing an object. The reservoir opens to a transfer chamber through which objects circulate. An object circulating in the transfer chamber moves along a circulation path. A part of the circulation path extends along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel. The rotary conveyance wheel has a concave portion (recessed portion) on the peripheral surface. The object is introduced and stored in the recess under the suction force applied to the recess. The rotating brush is disposed in the transfer chamber at the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the transfer wheel. As the transport wheel rotates, the object is carried to the insertion position where it is released from the transport wheel and introduced into the continuous flow of filter media.

International Publication No. 2010/0555120

  In the mass production of filters, there is still a need to produce such filters as efficiently and reliably as possible. This means that there is a need for a device that reliably places one capsule within each filter element.

  In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method are provided for introducing an object into a continuous material flow. In the following specification, only an embodiment in which an object is introduced into the filter material is shown, but the present invention also includes the case where the object is inserted into other parts of the smoking article, for example in a tobacco rod or in a filter cavity. .

  The device according to the invention is a rotary for transferring and supplying objects to a reservoir for supplying a plurality of objects to a rotary conveying wheel and an insertion unit for introducing the objects into a continuous material flow. A conveyance wheel and a conveyance chamber for conveying an object to a rotary conveyance wheel are provided. The transfer chamber is disposed between the reservoir and the rotary transfer wheel. The apparatus according to the invention further comprises means for generating a circulating movement of the object in the transfer chamber, the object moving along the circulation path. A part of the circulation path extends in the rotation direction of the rotary transfer wheel along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel.

  The means for generating the circulating motion includes a return member disposed in the transfer chamber at the curved side wall portion of the transfer chamber. Specifically, the return member is disposed at the end of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the transport wheel. The return member and the curved sidewall of the transfer chamber are configured to reverse the direction of movement of the object in the transfer chamber. The return member has a drop shape including a vertex, two straight sides, and a curved portion connecting the two straight sides. The apex faces the interior of the transport chamber such that one side faces the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel and this side surface extends essentially tangentially to the peripheral surface of the transport wheel. The term “basically tangentially” means that this straight side and the tangential plane of the peripheral surface at the point where the normal to the peripheral surface passes through the apex of the return member are parallel or a predetermined angle of up to 15 degrees. It means to extend in. In this case, the straight side surface and the tangential plane have a predetermined angle. Preferably, the space between the straight side and the peripheral surface is tapered towards the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface.

  According to the present invention, an object refers to any independent element that can be processed by the apparatus and method of the present invention. Preferably, the object is a substantially spherical object. Preferably, the substantially spherical object has a diameter of about 0.5 mm to about 6.5 mm, and more preferably the substantially spherical object has a diameter of about 2.5 mm to about 4.0 mm. Preferably, the substantially spherical object is a capsule. Preferably, the capsule contains a liquid. Preferably, the liquid is a flavorant, for example menthol, preferably the capsule is destructible, in other words, the capsule can release its contents when given sufficient discarding power. For such objects, it is particularly important to treat the objects with care so that the liquid in the capsule is not released during the manufacturing process.

  Thus, the use of the return member advantageously separates capsules moving in a first direction substantially along the circumference of the transport wheel and capsules moving in the opposite direction back to the transport chamber without being taken up by the transport wheel. Can do. By this separation, the speed of the capsule along the periphery of the transport wheel can be well controlled. Furthermore, this can reduce the stress applied to the capsule and prevent the capsule from being broken.

  As the object moves around the rotary transport wheel, some of the objects are transferred to the rotary transport wheel. Illustratively, the rotary transport wheel can include a recess in which an object is transported by applying a suction force to the bottom. Usually, an extra number of objects move along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel to ensure that each recess of the rotary transport wheel accommodates one object. In the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel, the object enters the space between the side surface of the return member and the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel. If there are no objects in all the recesses in the rotary transfer wheel, the return member will allow the object to enter any empty recess so that each recess in the transfer wheel will receive the object as it leaves the compartment of the transfer chamber. Help. Objects that move along the peripheral surfaces of these transport wheels but are not transported to the rotary transport wheel circulate back. For this, during the further movement of the object, the direction of movement of the object is reversed by the return member and the curved side wall of the transfer chamber. After being circulated back, these objects can be used again for transport into the recesses of the rotary transport wheel. Further, when the object is circulated in the transfer chamber, clogging can be advantageously prevented.

  In one embodiment according to the apparatus of the present invention, the straight side facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel is located a predetermined distance away from the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel. This predetermined distance is selected such that a layer of 1 to 6 objects is formed between this side and the peripheral surface of the rotary conveying wheel. In particular, the predetermined distance is selected such that a layer of 2 to 4 objects is formed between this side and the peripheral surface of the rotary conveying wheel. This embodiment introduces objects into the recesses on the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel so that one object is stored in the recesses of the rotary transfer wheel as each recess leaves the compartment of the transfer chamber. Convenient because it contributes further.

  In another embodiment according to the apparatus of the present invention, the straight side is arranged such that the space between the straight side and the peripheral surface of the rotary conveying wheel is tapered. Preferably, the taper of this space occurs in a direction towards the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveying wheel. As previously mentioned, slight tapering of the space can help convey the object into some potentially empty recess of the rotating conveying wheel. However, the tapering needs to be such that the object is not damaged or broken. Preferably, the taper is less than about 1/4 of the capsule diameter.

  In another embodiment according to the apparatus of the present invention, the means for generating a circular motion of the object further comprises a nozzle. These nozzles are arranged at the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveying wheel. The nozzle can generate an air flow that can reverse the direction of movement of the object within the transfer chamber. This reversal of the direction of movement of the object is achieved with the curved side wall of the transfer chamber, with the return member, or with both the curved side wall and the return member.

  In general, the speed of the object can be varied over a wide range, but in one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the means for generating the circulating movement of the object in the transfer chamber is in operation along the peripheral surface of the rotating transfer wheel. The speed of the selected object is designed to be the same or substantially the same as the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel. The term “substantially the same” refers to the speed of the object in a particular sense, where the speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel is from about 25% slower than the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel. It is in the range of fast speed by 25%. More preferably, the speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel, and the speed of the object is only about 10% than the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel. It is in the range from slow speed to fast speed by about 10%. As used herein, the term “about” associated with a particular value is always intended to include the particular value. This can further improve the transfer of objects from the transfer chamber to the recess of the rotary transfer wheel.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for introducing an object into a continuous material flow. This method
Providing a reservoir for housing a plurality of objects;
Introducing an object from a reservoir into a transfer chamber disposed between the reservoir and a rotating transfer wheel;
Generating a circular motion of the object in the transfer chamber so that the object moves along the circulation path;
including. A part of the circulation path extends in the rotational direction of the rotary transfer wheel along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (when activated).

  The method includes reversing the direction of movement of the object in the transfer chamber by providing a return member. The return member is a curved side wall of the transfer chamber and is disposed in the transfer chamber at the end of the circulation path that extends along the peripheral surface of the transfer wheel.

  The method further includes transferring the object from the transfer chamber to a rotating transfer wheel. The rotary transfer wheel transfers the object to be transferred to an insertion position where the object is introduced into a continuous material flow.

  Preferably, the return member has a drop shape including an apex, two straight sides, and a curved portion connecting the two straight sides. The apex faces the interior of the transfer chamber. The side surface facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel basically extends in the tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the transfer wheel.

  The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the advantages described in connection with the inventive device described above. This also applies to the following method embodiments according to the invention.

  Preferably, in one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the circulating movement of the object in the transfer chamber is such that the speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel is the same as the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel or It occurs to be at substantially the same speed.

  The term "substantially the same" means that in terms of the speed of the object, the speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel, and the speed of the object is The speed ranges from about 25% slower to about 25% faster than the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel.

  More specifically, the speed of the object is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel, and the speed of the object is about 10% slower than the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel to about 10% faster. Range.

  Preferably, in yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the step of reversing the direction of movement of the object in the transfer chamber comprises the additional air flow at the end of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel. The method further includes the step of supplying The additional air flow is adapted to reverse the direction of movement of the object in the transfer chamber with the curved sidewall of the transfer chamber, or with the return member, or with both the curved sidewall and the return member.

  Further advantageous aspects will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the apparatus and method according to the invention with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the basic parts of the device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows some further details viewed through the front plate of the apparatus of Figure 1; It is a figure which shows the detail of the conveyance chamber which has arrange | positioned the return member for reversing the flow of the object in a conveyance chamber inside.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a basic part of an apparatus according to the present invention in an assembled state. FIG. 2 is a front view disclosing some additional details of this embodiment. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the device comprises a reservoir 1 in which an object such as a capsule is provided. In FIG. 1, the opaque front plate 10 of the reservoir 1 can be seen, and in FIG. 2 the front plate 10 is shown transparent so that further details of the device can be seen.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, the apparatus further comprises a transfer chamber 2 arranged between the reservoir 1 and the rotary transfer wheel 3. A return member 20 having a drop shape is disposed in the transfer chamber 2. The return member 20 helps to reverse the movement of the capsule along the periphery of the rotating transport wheel 3 in the transport chamber 20, as will be described in more detail below.

  A plurality of nozzles 100 are arranged on the front wall 10. With these nozzles 100, an overpressure or suction force can be applied to create a circulating movement of the capsule in the transfer chamber 2. This is indicated by an arrow in the transfer chamber 2 of FIG. Also, the overpressure or suction force applied through the nozzle 100 helps the capsule move toward the rotary transport wheel 3. The transfer chamber 2 is formed between the rear wall 11 and the front wall 10. The depth of the transfer chamber 2 between the front wall 10 and the rear wall 11 is such that only a single-layer capsule can be formed. Illustratively, the depth (“thickness”) of the transfer chamber 2 can be from about 110 percent to about 120 percent of the outer dimensions of the capsule. An additional nozzle (not shown) can be arranged on the rear wall 11 at a position similar to the position of the nozzle 100 on the front wall 10. Through these additional nozzles, an overpressure or a suction force can be applied as in the case of the nozzle 100 in order to create a circulating movement of the capsule in the transfer chamber 2. This further helps the capsule move towards the rotary transport wheel 3. As the capsule moves toward or along the periphery of the rotary transport wheel 3, the capsule is sucked into a recess provided around the rotary transport wheel 3 (this recess is shown in FIG. Not visible in FIG. 2). This can be done by applying a suction force from the bottom of each recess provided in the rotary transport wheel 3. Each capsule is stored in an individual recess until it is introduced into the continuous material flow in a unit for introducing the capsule into the continuous material flow. The unit for introducing the capsules into the continuous material flow is not shown and can be a conventionally known unit. Illustratively, a suitable unit for introducing capsules into a continuous flow of filter tow is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 of WO 2010/0555120 and is described in detail in the corresponding part of this specification. Has been. Accordingly, the disclosure relating to the unit for introducing capsules into this continuous flow of filter material is incorporated herein by reference. As can be seen from WO 2010/0555120, the capsules are released from the recesses and introduced into the continuous flow of filter tows when the respective recesses of the rotary transport wheel are in the lowest position.

  FIG. 3 shows details of the transfer chamber 2 and shows the return member 20 in more detail. The return member 20 is disposed at the end of the transport chamber 2 where the capsule circulation path extends along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3. The return member 20 has a drop shape that includes an apex 200, two side surfaces 201, and a curved portion 202 connecting the two side surfaces 201. The vertex 200 faces the inside of the transfer chamber 2. The side surface 201 facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 basically extends in the tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the transport wheel 3 so that the capsule flows around the return member 20. Therefore, the return member 20 helps to reverse the direction of movement of the capsule in the transfer chamber 2.

  The side surface 201 of the return member 20 facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 is disposed at a predetermined distance 204 from the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 (the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel is indicated by a broken line). . The predetermined distance 204 is selected so that one to six capsule layers can be formed between the side surface 201 and the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3. Specifically, the predetermined distance 204 can be selected such that two to four capsule layers are formed between the side surface 201 and the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3. The return member 20 can be configured such that the space between the side surface 201 and the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyance wheel 3 is slightly tapered. This space is tapered in a direction toward the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyance wheel 3. This causes a slight pressure on these capsules as they move through the space. This slight pressure can assist in the insertion of the capsule into the recess of the rotary transport wheel 3. However, the taper is preferably selected such that the slight “pressure” caused by the taper does not cause capsule damage or breakage.

  Furthermore, one or more nozzles 203 can be arranged at the end of the circulation path of the capsule along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveying wheel 3. The nozzle 203 provides an air flow that reverses the direction of movement of the capsule in the transfer chamber 2 with either the curved sidewall of the transfer chamber 2, the return member 20, or both, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. Can be generated.

  In operation, the reservoirs 1 are filled with capsules and these capsules enter the transfer chamber 2 at the lower end of the reservoir 1 (see FIG. 1). In the transfer chamber 2, the capsule circulates as shown by arrows in FIG. 2. The capsule moves along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyance wheel 3. By applying a suction force to the bottom of each recess 320, each of the recesses 320 of the rotary transport wheel 3 is filled with capsules or beads. The capsule that is not sucked into the recess 320 returns along the circulation path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2 with the help of the return member 20 and the nozzle 203. The capsule sucked into the recess 320 is transferred by the rotary transport wheel 3 to a unit for introducing the capsule into a continuous flow of filter material. Here, the capsules are released from the recesses 320 and introduced into the flow of filter material as described in detail in WO 2010/0555120. During the further rotation of the rotary transport wheel 3, the empty recess 320 reaches the region of the transport chamber 2 again, where again capsules or beads are sucked into the recess 320 as described above.

  The capsule moves along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 at the same or substantially the same speed as the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3. Specifically, the speed of the capsule along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 is in the range of about 25 percent slower than the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 to about 25 percent faster. More specifically, the speed of the capsule is in the range of about 10 percent slower than the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel 3 to about 10 percent faster. When the moving speed of the capsule is the same as or substantially the same as the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel 3, it is advantageous because the transfer of the capsule from the transfer chamber 2 to the recess of the rotary transfer wheel 3 is further improved. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reservoir 2 Transfer chamber 3 Rotary transfer wheel 20 Return member 200 Vertex 201 Straight side 202 Curved portion

Claims (12)

An apparatus for introducing an object into a continuous material flow,
A reservoir (1) for supplying a plurality of objects;
A rotary transport wheel (3) for transferring and feeding said object to an insertion unit for introducing said object into said continuous material flow;
A transfer chamber (2) disposed between the reservoir (1) and the rotary transfer wheel (3) for transferring the object to the rotary transfer wheel (3);
The transfer chamber (2) so that the object moves along a circulation path partially extending in the rotation direction of the rotary transfer wheel (3) along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3). Means for generating a circular motion of the object in the interior;
With
Said cycling means for generating is a curved sidewall portion of the transfer chamber (2), in the said part of the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyor wheel (3), the A return member (20) disposed in the transfer chamber (2) is provided, and the return member (20) and the curved side wall portion reverse the moving direction of the object in the transfer chamber (2). Configured,
The return member (20) has a drop shape including a vertex (200), two straight sides (201), and a curved portion (202) connecting the two straight sides (201), The apex (200) extends from the transfer chamber such that the side surface (201) facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3) basically extends in a tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3). A device characterized by facing the inside of (2).   The straight side surface (201) facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) is disposed at a predetermined distance (204) away from the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3), and the predetermined distance (204 ) Is selected to form a layer of 1 to 6 objects between the side surface (201) and the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3). Basically, the straight side surface (201) extending in the tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) is between the straight side surface (201) and the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3). The space is arranged to taper in a direction toward the end portion of the part of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) . The device according to any one of the above. Means for generating a circulating motion of the object further comprises a nozzle (203) disposed in said portion of the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotating conveyor wheel (3), the The nozzle (203) is connected to the transfer chamber (2) with the curved side wall of the transfer chamber (2) or with the return member (20) or with both the curved side wall and the return member (20). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , capable of generating an air flow that reverses the direction of movement of the object within. The means for generating the circulation movement of the object in the transfer chamber (2) is such that the moving speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3) is the periphery of the rotary transfer wheel (3). 5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, designed to be the same as the surface speed. The moving speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3), and the moving speed of the object is determined by the rotary transport wheel. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is in the range of a speed 25% slower to a speed 25% faster than the peripheral surface of (3). The moving speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3), and the moving speed of the object is determined by the rotary transport wheel. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is in the range of a speed that is 10% slower than the peripheral surface of (3) and a speed that is 10% faster. A method of introducing an object into a continuous material flow,
Providing a reservoir (1) for accommodating a plurality of objects;
Introducing the object from the reservoir (1) into a transfer chamber (2) disposed between the reservoir (1) and a rotary transfer wheel (3);
The transfer chamber (2) so that the object moves along a circulation path partially extending in the rotation direction of the rotary transfer wheel (3) along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3). Generating a circular motion of the object in
In the curved side wall of the transfer chamber (2), in the said part of the end portion of the circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyor wheel (3), disposed in said transfer chamber (2) in Reversing the direction of movement of the object in the transfer chamber by preparing a return member (20)
Transporting the object from the transport chamber (2) to the rotary transport wheel (3) for transporting the object to be transported to an insertion position where the object is introduced into the continuous material flow. When,
Introducing the object into the continuous material flow at the insertion position;
Including
The return member (20) has a drop shape including a vertex (200), two straight sides (201), and a curved portion (202) connecting the two straight sides (201), The apex (200) extends from the transfer chamber such that the side surface (201) facing the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3) basically extends in a tangential direction of the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3). A method characterized by facing the inside of (2). The step of generating the circular motion of the object in the transfer chamber (2) is such that the moving speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3) is set around the rotary transfer wheel (3). 9. The method of claim 8, comprising generating a circular motion of the object that is at the same speed as a surface. The moving speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3), and the moving speed of the object is determined by the rotary transport wheel. 9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the speed ranges from 25% slower to 25% faster than the peripheral surface of (3). The moving speed of the object along the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3) is different from the speed of the peripheral surface of the rotary transport wheel (3), and the moving speed of the object is determined by the rotary transport wheel. 9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the speed ranges from 10% slower to 10% faster than the peripheral surface of (3).   Reversing the direction of movement of the object in the transfer chamber (2) further comprises supplying an additional air flow at the end of a circulation path extending along the peripheral surface of the rotary transfer wheel (3). Including the additional air flow with the curved sidewall of the transfer chamber or with the return member (20) or with both the curved sidewall and the return member (20). The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the moving direction of the object in 2) is reversed.

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